Argentina v Austria
Play By Play
That's all she wrote then, and it's a history-making night for the greatest of all time, Lionel Messi, as he steers Argentina to the last 32 with a brace in a 2-0 win over Austria. It didn't start too well for Messi, who placed a ninth-minute penalty wide. But he dusted himself down and slid home the opener after a wonderful team move in the 38th minute. The second half was, truthfully, a little drab, but Messi drilled in his second of the game, and fifth of the tournament from two games, deep into injury time to seal the win. Holders Argentina, who had a superior xG of 2.65 to 0.5, are now guaranteed to progress from Group J before their final group-stage game with Jordan. Austria round out their pool stage against Algeria, and still have a little bit of work to do. But, until then, thanks for joining us folks! Until next time!
FULL-TIME: ARGENTINA 2-0 AUSTRIA
CLOSE! Messi has a free-kick from 30 yards, he sends it low past the right-hand post. He could've had a second hat-trick already in this tournament!
GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLL! MESSI EXTENDS HIS RECORD! Well, it started with the genius, then ended with the genius. Messi sprayed the ball out left to Alvarez, whose initial shot was saved. Messi picks it up, sees his initial effort blocked, but drives into the centre of the goal on the follow-up. Make that 18 World Cup goals, make that 2-0 to Argentina, make that game over.
Oooh, it's half a chance for Austria. Sabitzer launches an Austria free-kick deep, Danso meets it at the back post, before Wimmer then nods wide. It wasn't easy, but that might be the last chance they get...
Paredes clatters into Chukwuemeka and goes into the book.
Messi took the free-kick, but it wasn't his best delivery.
Gonzalez gets fouled by Wimmer in a dangerous position, just as five extra minutes goes up on the fourth official's board.
Both teams give the ball away cheaply in midfield, and eventually Otamendi goes in too hard on Wimmer.
CLOSE! Gonzalez gets in behind, flicks the ball over the defender, and sees his shot blocked by Danso. Fernandez's follow-up is also blocked. Argentina still lead 1-0 as we head into the closing stages.
A final roll of the dice here from Rangnick then as Gregoritsch is replaced by Chukwuemeka.
Sabitzer takes the corner after those substitutions, but it comes to nothing again.
And Medina, on a yellow card of course, is replaced by Tagliafico.
More changes here, this time from Argentina, as De Paul comes off for the vastly experienced Paredes.
Gregoritsch almost clips one through, but Medina does well to get across and whack the ball out for a corner.
Messi spins and plays a lovely ball out wide to Gonzalez, but his pull-back is deflected to the goalkeeper.
Rangnick opts for more fresh legs as Austria search for a leveller, and Schmid is replaced by Wimmer.
Laimer also goes into the book for his part in the silly shoving with Medina. Senseless bookings for both players in truth.
Medina and Laimer get into a bit of afters, with the latter having been pinged for a foul. It's all a little silly, and Medina gets booked first.
CLOSE! Argentina win a cheap corner, remarkably their first of the game, over on the left. Messi toddles over to deliver the outswinger and plays a lovely ball to the near post, where a charging, and free, Gonzalez nods wide of the far post. He should have done better in truth.
Back underway we get then for the final stages of this Group J contest.
So, we reach the second-half hydration break (hello boos and whistles), and Argentina still lead 1-0 thanks to Messi's first-half goal. This second period has just not ignited at all in truth. Opta's live win probability has Argentina as 85% favourites to see out the job, with Austria's chances of victory a mere 2.8%.
And Wanner makes way for the veteran Arnautovic.
Posch, who was playing despite breaking his jaw against Jordan, goes off for Prass.
Rangnick is now utilising his options off the bench as Alaba exits for Friedl.
